Chapter 1: Introduction to Common Passwords

In our everyday lives, passwords play a crucial role, yet many of us are unaware of the most frequently used passwords in 2022. Are you one of those individuals still relying on these common phrases?

Password management service NordPass has published a report detailing the most popular passwords of 2022, along with insights into how quickly these can be hacked. Their findings stem from analyzing a massive 3TB database collected from 30 countries, which allowed researchers to perform a statistical breakdown by both geographic location and gender. This year's study emphasizes the influence of cultural trends on password choices.

Research indicates that even as awareness of cybersecurity grows, many individuals continue to rely on weak passwords for their accounts. The most common passwords of 2022 are strikingly similar to those from previous years. Topping the list is a password that is utilized by nearly 5 million users, followed by others such as 123456, 123456789, guest, qwerty, 12345678, 111111, 12345, col123456, and 123123.

Many users opt for simple numbers or easily memorable phrases for less critical accounts. Alarmingly, 18 out of the 20 most used passwords can be cracked in less than a second; only a couple, like guest and col123456, might take 10 seconds or longer.

NordPass also shared statistics on how popular trends impact password selection. For example, the term "Oscars" sees a notable increase in usage during the Academy Awards season, alongside names tied to popular movies or TV shows. Among the most frequently used phrases in 2021/2022, "batman" appeared 2,562,776 times, "euphoria" was noted 53,993 times, and "encanto" was used 10,808 times. Researchers observed consistent patterns year after year, with sports teams, movie characters, and food frequently appearing in password lists.

NordPass provides several recommendations for improving password management and online security in their report:

1. Create complex passwords: Aim for at least 12 characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Utilizing a password generator can simplify this process.
2. Avoid password reuse: Using the same password across multiple accounts makes it easier for hackers to breach your security. If one account is compromised, all others using the same password are at risk.
3. Regularly review accounts: Check which accounts you actively use and which ones you no longer access. Dormant accounts can jeopardize your online security, as you may not notice if they are hacked.
4. Evaluate password strength: Regularly assess the integrity of your passwords. Identify any weak, reused, or outdated passwords, and enhance your online security by creating new, complex ones.
5. Consider a password manager: This tool helps securely store and access your passwords, making it one of the most efficient ways to bolster your overall online security.

To delve deeper into the most commonly used passwords of this year, check out the following videos:

Chapter 2: Most Common Passwords of 2022

The first video titled "Top 200 Most Common Passwords 2023" provides an overview of the frequently used passwords and how they can be protected.

The second video, "Can we guess your password? What are the most used passwords of this year? Researched by #cybernews," investigates the passwords that are most at risk and offers insights on how to safeguard against potential breaches.

Thank you for reading! I hope you continue to engage with more insightful articles in the future.